Chamfering device

ABSTRACT

The device automatically rotates and grinds successive railway wheels in the area of the hub and the apex of the flange and thereafter ejects each wheel from the device. The device is adjustable to accommodate various size wheels.

United States Patent Inventor Alden V. Gay

Hueytown, Ala. 35020 Appl. No. 820,764 Filed May 1, I969 Patented July 20, 1971 Assignee Armsted Industries Incorporated, Chicago.

Ill.

CHAMFERING DEVICE 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 51/88, 51/104 lat. CL B24b 5/46 Field olSearch 51/88, 89,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,625,137 4/1927 Mulvihill 51/104 X 3,023,552 3/1962 Grobey et al. 51/236 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGeehee A!!orney.r Walter L. Schlegel, Jrv and Russell W. Pyle ABSTRACT: The device automatically rotates and grinds successive railway wheels in the area of the hub and the apex of the flange and thereafter ejects each wheel from the device. The device is adjustable to accommodate various size wheels.

TENTED JULZO I971 SHEET 2 BF 6 alwmigk CHAMFERING DEVICE This invention relates to grinding devices and more particularly to an apparatus for sequentially and automatically grinding certain portions ofa railway wheel or similar article.

With the advent of special molds and casting techniques, it has become possible to cast steel railway wheels in substantially final form. Finishing operations are limited to boring a hole in the hub of the wheel for reception of an axle, chamfering the hole thus bored, and removing the fin, by grinding, formed at the apex of the wheel where the juncture of the mold sections is located. Heretofore, the grinding operations have been preformed separately, resulting in a substantial loss of time in a production line operation.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a device that will accomplish all necessary grinding operations automatically in a one-step operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for receiving each wheel in a vertical or upright position, rotating the wheel while chamfering the hub on both sides and removing the fin at the apex, and thereafter ejecting the wheel in an automatic sequence.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is an elevational view of a device which incorporates the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, with certain parts removed, taken substantially along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view with certain parts removed, of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 isan elevational view showing the hub chamfe ring subassembly in greater detail;

FIG. 5 is an end view-partly in cross section, of the structure shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the apex fin grinding subassembly;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the electrical circuit employed in connection with the structure shown in FIGS. l7.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, FIGS. l-3 illustrate the overall structure of the device wherein the operative members thereof are mounted within a basic framework, generally indicated at 10, comprising a rectangular base 12 and a rectangular top framework 16 interconnected by a plurality of vertical columns 14. Successive wheels enter and leave the device on respective aligned entrance and exit rails 18 and 20, and side guardrails 22 are secured on the vertical columns 14 to maintain the wheels in a vertical position during their approach and exit from the device.

Means are provided for stopping the wheel in the device, rotating the wheel during the grinding operation, and thereafter ejecting the wheel from the device. For this purpose, a pair of spaced rollers 24 and 26 is provided in the gap between the entrance and exit rails 18 and 20 and in alignment therewith. A suitable groove 23 is provided in each roller for accommodating the flange 27 ofa wheel 29 (FIG. 3) when in a vertical position. The rollers 24 and 26 are mounted on respective shafts 28 and 30, which are journaled at their ends in bearings, such as 32, secured to the base 12. The shaft 28 of one of the rollers 24 is operatively connected by a pulley and belt to a motor 36 for imparting rotary motion thereto, which in turn rotates the wheel 29.

The means for stopping and ejecting the wheel include a pair of arcuate arms 38 and 40 secured to a common shaft 42 journaled in the base 12 beneath rollers 24 and 26. The shaft 42 is rotated by means ofa pneumatic power cylinder 44 connected at one end to the frame and at its other end by a clevis to one end of a lever 46. the other end of said lever being secured to said shaft. The assembly is designed such that when shaft 42 is rotated counterclockwise, the upward extending end of arm 40emerges above the line of the rollers 24 and 26 to stop an incoming wheel that enters from the left of the device. Actuation of cylinder 44 then causes rotation of the shaft 42 in the other direction, whereupon the upward extending end of the other arm 38 emerges above the rollers 24 and 26 and engages the wheel to impart a rolling momentum thereto and eject the wheel onto the exit rail 20.

The hub grinding and stabilizing roll subassembly, as best shown in FIGS. l5, comprise means for grinding an area of the hub on both sides of the wheel simultaneously while maintaining the wheel in an upright position during rotation. It will be understood that since substantially identical subassemblies are mounted on both sides of a framework only one subassembly will be described for the sake of brevity.

A vertically movable rectangular frame 48 is mounted between a pair of spaced cylindrical vertical columns 50 by means of rollers 52 rotatably mounted in brackets 54 secured at the four corners of said frame. A shaft 58 is journaled in suitable bearings in a pair of spaced arms 56 secured to and extending horizontally inward from the frame 48. A pivot frame 60 is secured at one end thereof to the shaft 58 and at its other end to a conventional power grinding device 62 having a circular grinding head 64.

Means are provided for pivoting the frame 60 with associated grinding device inwardly, comprising a pneumatic power cylinder 66, one end thereof being secured to the vertically movable frame 48 and the other end connected by a clevis to a lever 68 secured to one end of the shaft (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5). Stabilizing roller groups, generally indicated at 70 and 72, are mounted between a respective arm 56 of the frame 48 and an outwardly extending horizontal bracket 74 secured to each arm. Each roller group comprises a shaft 76 and a plurality of roll segments 78 journaled thereon, with the resulting roll group being of sufficient length to accommodate the various size wheels that enter the device. The roll groups 70 and 72 prevent excessive tilting of the wheels during the grinding operation without interfering with their rotation.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, means are provided for adjustably moving the frame 48 vertically to properly position the grinding head 64 with respect to the hub of various size wheels. The upper end of a vertical threaded rod 80 is provided having a head 82 supported and journaled in the upper framework 16. A bevel gear 84 secured to the head 82 is engaged by a second gear 86 connected by a horizontal shaft 88 to a circular crank 89. The lower end of the threaded rod 80 is engaged in a threaded bushing 90 secured to an upper portion of the vertically movable frame 48, such that rotation of crank 89 will cause the frame 48 to be moved up or down. A similar adjusting mechanism is provided for the movable frame on the other side of the divide.

A third grinding subassembly is provided for removal of the fin on the apex 92 (FIG. 3) on the flange 27 of the wheel 29. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 7, the subassembly is pivotally mounted on the frame by means of a shaft 94 journaled at its ends in bearings 96 secured to the top framework 16. A vertically extending pivot frame 98 is rotatably mounted on shaft 94 by means ofa pair of sleeve bushings 100 (FIG. 7) secured to said frame. A pair of opposed inwardly facing notches 102 is provided in the frame 98 for slidably receiving a second vertical frame 104 having complementary ears 106 slidably engaging said notches. A motor 108, mounted on the upper surface of a horizontal extension 109 of the slidable frame 104, is pivotally secured on one side by a pin 110 engaged between a pair of spaced brackets 112 (FIG. 7) secured to the frame 104 and on the other side by vertically adjustable bolt means 114. This feature allows for adjustment of the motor belt tension.

As best shown in FIG. 6, a shaft 116 is rotatably mounted in a housing "8 secured to the underside of the slidable frame 104, and a pulley 120 on one side of the shaft 116 is connected by a belt 122 to a pulley 124 on the motor 108, in order to rotate a grinding wheel 126 secured on the other end of said shaft. A safety cover 128 may also be provided over an upper portion of the grinding wheel 126. A counterweight 130 is connected to the pivot frame 98 at a point distal from the pivot axis thereof in order to balance the weight of the motor 108 and grinding wheel assembly. A pneumatic cylinder 132 is operatively connected between the top framework 16 and the pivot frame 98 for pivoting the entire assembly on the shaft 94, which brings the grinding wheel 126 into contact with the apex 92 of the wheel.

Means similar to that hereinbefore described are provided for vertically adjusting the slidable frame 104 and the pivot frame 98. A threaded sleeve 134 (FIG. 6) is secured in the top framework 16 and engaged by a vertical threaded rod 136 connected by suitable gearing 138 to a horizontal shaft 140 having a crank handle 142 thereon for rotation of said rod relative to said sleeve.

The operation of the device will be described in connection with its electrical circuit as shown in FIG. 8 and also in connection with FIGS. 1-3. The electrical sequence of the control circuits is linked to the movement of the wheel through the device by means of a number of electromechanical limit switches designated respectively in FIG. 8 and in FlGS. 1-3 as lLS (144), 2L5 (152), 3L8 (148), 4L8 (150) and SLS (146). Two switches, 11.8 and 2LS, are activated by the wheel, and the others are activated by movement of the grinder assemblies.

The circuit is energized by depression of pushbutton switch 2P8, which energizes the coil of relay CRM, causing contacts CRM-l, CRM-2 and CRM3 to be closed. Contact CRM-2 bypasses the normally open 2P8 to maintain the coil of CRM energized. The sequence may be thereafter interrupted at any time by operation of normally closed switch lPB.

After CRM is energized, a wheel may be admitted into the device, whereupon a normally open limit switch lLS (144 in FIG. 1) is momentarily closed, energizing the coil of time relay ITDR which closes contact lTDR-l. lfa wheel was already in the device, the normally closed limit switch 2L8 would be held open and relay lTDR would not remain energized, thereby preventing completion of the automatic cycle. Otherwise lTDR will remain energized.

After a predetermined delay, contact lTDR-Z closes, starting the motor 36 to rotate the wheel on roller 24. Simultane' ously, the apex grinder motor 108 and its cycle timer lTR, as well as the chamfering cycle timer 2TR, is activated. Timers lTR and 2TR activate relays lCR and 2CR, causing solenoids l, 2 and 3 to be activated, which causes extension of the apex power cylinder 132 and hub grinder cylinders 66 and starting of the hub grinders 62.

The grinder heads 126 and 64 contact the wheel for a complete revolution thereof, as determined by lTR and 2TR, whereupon the grinders retract. Upward tilting of the apex grinding assembly closes switch 5L5 (146 in FIG. 2), and retraction of the hub grinder pivot frames 98 closes respective switches 3L8 and 4L8 (148 and 150). The coil of 3CR is then energized to close 3CR-1, 3CR-2 3CR-2 3CR-3, whereby the kicker cylinder 44 is activated to eject the wheel. The ejected wheel opens 2LS (152), thereby deenergizing the relays lTDR and 3CR to reset the circuit in anticipation of the next wheel.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for grinding a railway wheel in an upright position comprising a grinding station, an entrance rail and an exit rail leading respectively to and from said station, a plurality of supports mounted at said station, a pair of opposed frames connected to said supports and vertically movable with respect thereto, a grinder pivotally suspended from each frame, power means for urging each grinder against a wheel, a pair of rollers beneath and between said frames and said grinders said rollers being adapted to rotatably support a wheel in an upright position, means for rotating at least one of said rollers, means for adjusting the vertical position of each frame on said supports to enable chamfering of said wheel, and means for stopping a wheel on said rollers entering from said entrance rail and thereafter ejecting said wheel onto said exit rail.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein separate means are provided to grind the apex of the flange of the wheel.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein horizontal roller means are mounted on each frame to stabilize the wheel during the grinding operation.

4. Apparatus for grinding a railway wheel in an upright position comprising a pair of rollers adapted to rotatably support a wheel, means to rotate a wheel supported on said rollers, a pair of opposed grinders engageable with opposite sides of a wheel supported upon said rollers, said grinders being vertically adjustable with respect to said wheel, means for urging said grinders into engagement with and retracting said grinders from said wheel, means for causing said grinders to be au tomatically urged against said wheel during the rotation thereof, means to cause said grinders to be retracted from said wheel after one revolution thereof, and means for automatically ejecting said wheel from said rollers upon retraction of said grinders. 

1. Apparatus for grinding a railway wheel in an upright position comprising a grinding station, an entrance rail and an exit rail leading respectively to and from said station, a plurality of supports mounted at said station, a pair of opposed frames connected to said supports and vertically movable with respect thereto, a grinder pivotally suspended from each frame, power means for urging each grinder against a wheel, a pair of rollers beneath and between said frames and said grinders said rollers being adapted to rotatably support a wheel in an upright position, means for rotating at least one of said rollers, means for adjusting the vertical position of each frame on said supports to enable chamfering of said wheel, and means for stopping a wheel on said rollers entering from said entrance rail and thereafter ejecting said wheel onto said exit rail.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein separate means are provided to grind the apex of the flange of the wheel.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein horizontal roller means are mounted on each frame to stabilize the wheel during the grinding operation.
 4. Apparatus for grinding a railway wheel in an upright position comprising a pair of rollers adapted to rotatably support a wheel, means to rotate a wheel supported on said rollers, a pair of opposed grinders engageable with opposite sides of a wheel supported upon said rollers, said grinders being vertically adjustable with respect to said wheel, means for urging said grinders into engagement with and retracting said grinders from said wheel, means for causing said grinders to be automatically urged against said wheel during the rotation thereof, means to cause said grinders to be retracted from said wheel after one revolution thereof, and means for automatically ejecting said wheel from said rollers upon retraction of said grinders. 